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"It certainly is strange."
People who buy poison usually buy the antidote as well, just in case.
Unless they intend to die from the poison themselves.
When buying poison, the vendor usually recommends buying the antidote together first.
However, Elise's receipt didn't show any purchase of an antidote.
'But to act exactly as Elise did in my past life, I absolutely need the antidote.'
To stage a drama, an antidote is essential.
She wouldn't go so far as to stage a drama to kill herself.
Then, what on earth is she planning to do with that poison?
'Is she scared to actually drink it, and just planning to dip a spoon in to show that it's poisoned?'
But even thinking that way didn't resolve the doubts.
First, even if you regress and return to the past, a person's character doesn't change.
Even if the situation changes and they might act differently, it's strange that Elise, who was so bold in her past life that she directly poisoned herself, is suddenly being cautious in this life due to a simple change of heart.
And the crucial second question is...
'If she's not going to put on a show of drinking poison, how is she planning to get rid of the baby in her womb?'
Using the poison to ruin herself, and then creating another incident for the sake of a miscarriage?
'That's too inefficient and foolish.'
Creating multiple incidents in a short period increases the risk of arousing someone's suspicion.
If Elise doesn't plan to get rid of the baby, there's only one possibility left.
'Could it be... is she planning to give birth?'
But the pregnancy is a lie in the first place.
Since a non-existent child can't be born, Elise must be planning another scheme.
'I hope she hasn't gone so far as to do such a thing...'
Having considered all possible scenarios, Leticia asked Idris.
"Could you find out if there are any human trafficking rings operating within the capital?"
And the result was...
"Miss Elise Fran."
Idris, who had approached Leticia's side, held up something.
"We found this from the human traffickers."
Elise's eyes shook violently at the sight.
It was Elise's photo with the appearance of the child she purchased written on it.
It was a receipt for purchasing a newborn baby from human traffickers.
"We need to investigate this, so I'm afraid you'll have to come with us."
"..."
"Do you have anything to say regarding this matter?"
Elise turned pale as she met Idris' cold gaze.
Only then did she realize the gravity of what she had done.
A few days ago, Elise, who had purchased poison, visited a human trafficking ring and bought a baby that was about to be born.
'If the baby disappears at this point, Peytan's heart will completely turn away.'
So Elise had two plans.
To cause a poisoning incident to tarnish Leticia's image and, at the same time, sever Peytan's lingering feelings.
To continue pretending to be pregnant, maintain the current situation, go down to the duchy, give birth to the child, and then return.
But that plan was shattered miserably.
"So... are you saying that Miss Elise bought a child to deceive everyone into thinking she was pregnant?"
"Oh my, how could she...!"
The noble ladies and young ladies who understood the situation exclaimed in shock.
Her mind went blank, but she had to say something.
Elise opened her mouth haltingly.
"I-I don't know anything about this. That evidence could be fabricated, couldn't it? Someone might be framing me...!"
But before Elise could finish her sentence, Leticia interjected.
"If you need more evidence, have them search the room where Miss Elise is staying in the Duke's residence."
"...!"
"To buy a child, she would have had to sell all her dresses, jewelry... everything of value."
"T-That's just because I was planning to go down to the duchy soon, so I disposed of them."
Leticia nodded leisurely, as if she had anticipated such a rebuttal.
"Well, fine. It is strange that you suddenly disposed of everything when it's not like you'll be running around naked when you go down to the duchy, but let's say that's the case."
But soon, the next question followed.
"Then where did that money go?"
"..."
"Did you throw it away?"
"..."
"Or did you eat it?"
It was a remark that pointed out the flaw in Elise's rebuttal a moment ago.
"Answer me, Elise."
"..."
"What do the two colors and numbers written next to this photo mean?"
As Leticia said, next to Elise's photo were written the colors purple, ultramarine, and the number 0.
Coincidentally, purple matched Elise's eye color, and ultramarine matched Peytan's hair color.
But Elise desperately pretended not to know.
"How would I know that? I don't know anything...!"
"Then I'll have to explain."
Leticia pointed to purple and ultramarine in turn and said.
"The baby's eye color, hair color, and..."
Finally, she pointed to the 0 at the end and added.
"The baby's age."
Then, following Leticia's gaze, everyone's eyes turned to the culprit of this situation.
Towards Elise, who was blankly staring at Leticia.
Shock, disgust, pity...
Elise cowered as if trying to avoid the gazes pouring down on her.
But there was no longer anywhere to run, no way out.
Idris, who had been dryly watching the scene, nodded at the knights waiting behind.
The knights, understanding the meaning, approached Elise and grabbed her arms.
"This... let go of me! Get away from me!"
But Elise roughly shook off their hands and strode towards Leticia.
The knights tried to subdue Elise, but Idris, noticing Leticia's expression, gestured to stop them.
Staggering forward, Elise shouted as if venting her resentment.
"I... I was first."
"..."
"I met Peytan first, loved him first, and asked him to marry me first!"
"..."
"If it weren't for you, I could have been the Duchess..."
"..."
"You're the one who stole my place, so why do I have to be the mistress? Why me! Why do I have to go this far to get my place back!"
Elise was now almost screaming and struggling desperately.
The sight contrasted with her usual frail and pitiful appearance, making it grotesque, and on the other hand, the sight of a human being who had fallen to the bottom was desperate.
Leticia, who had been quietly observing Elise's last struggle, opened her mouth.
"Oh dear, you must have felt wronged."
However, unlike the words of understanding, Leticia's gaze as she looked down at Elise was extremely cold.
"But it seems like you never considered that the direction of that resentment was wrong?"
Leticia slowly approached Elise and continued.
"Until I met Peytan, you weren't in any kind of relationship with Peytan after all."
"..."
"Then you should resent Peytan for not waiting for you and proposing to me, not me."
"..."
"Whatever grievances you had, Peytan ended up marrying me, and from then on, no matter how you rationalize it, you can only be the mistress."
From the moment she met Peytan, who was not divorced, simply consumed by her own feelings of resentment, the label of 'mistress' was unavoidable for Elise.
"And now, you've even become a criminal who trafficked a newborn baby."
"No, I'm not...!"
Elise looked around in despair.
Now, there was no one to defend her, no one who wanted to be on her good side. Really, no one.
It was a complete downfall.
Upon realizing that reality, a sense of despair, as if the ground beneath her feet was falling into an endless abyss, consumed Elise.
But that despair, on the contrary, became a flame that burned her.
A chilling light flickered in Elise's eyes, which had been staring blankly at Leticia and the others.
"I didn't do anything wrong. It's all, all because of you!"
Then she rushed towards Leticia as if to kill her.
But far from reaching Leticia, she was subdued by the waiting knights before she could even take a few steps.
Elise thrashed and screamed.
"I'll never, ever let you get away with this! This isn't the end of everything!"
The frail Elise Fran from before could not be found in that crazed figure.
Leticia, who was watching the end of the 'real villain' who had framed her past self as a villainess, nodded.
Then Idris, understanding the meaning, ordered the knights.
"Take her away."
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